Electronic device having multi-functional human interface

ABSTRACT

A multi-functional human interface device includes a control unit and a first multi-functional input button. The first multi-functional input button includes a cover unit configured to receive a touch input of a user&#39;s finger, an electrode unit including a transmitter and a receiver to form an electric field, an elastic unit configured to move from a first height to a second height when a first pressure is applied from the cover unit and configured to move back to the first height when the first pressure from the cover unit is released, and a switch unit configured to generate an electric signal representing an input of a predetermined letter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present inventive concept relates to a human interface: forreceiving, from a user, an input of text information or pointinglocation information at a digital device capable of receiving the textinformation or pointing location information, such as a computer, anotebook, a tablet PC, and a portable phone; and transmitting thereceived information to the digital device.

BACKGROUND ART

Text input devices such as a keyboard have been proposed for inputtingtext to a personal computer or a portable digital device. Furthermore,pointing devices such a mouse have been proposed for controlling apointing location of a pointer and for performing a function forcontrolling the digital device.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Conventional text input devices and pointing devices may be providedseparately, or pointing input regions of the pointing devices may beprovided in a location separated from text input regions of the textinput devices. This may cause users hand to move too frequently underthe working environment in which a text input operation, a pointinglocation input operation, and a pointer execution instruction inputoperation are frequently switched, thereby degrading work efficiency.

Technical Solution

An embodiment of the present inventive concept provides a humaninterface in which a pointing location information input region of apointing device is provided on a text input region of a text inputdevice, and a switching unit for switching between a text input mode anda pointing location information input mode is provided, thus enabling apointing input operation to be performed with minimized movement ofusers hand through simple switching of an input mode during a text inputoperation, thereby improving work efficiency.

Advantageous Effects

The text input device and the pointing device, which are providedseparately, are integrated in one human interface device so as to reduceunit price and size of a product and eliminate unnecessary useroperation, thereby improving work efficiency.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device;

FIG. 2 is flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an operationsequence according to mode switching between a pointing device and atext device;

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary embodiments of configurations of text inputdevices and pointing devices;

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary embodiments of a mode switching unitintegrated with a pointer execution instruction unit;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pointer locationinformation input region;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mode switching unitintegrated with a pointer execution instruction unit;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a utilization of a humaninterface device cover adopting a bottom-located pointer locationinformation input device;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a human interface deviceapplied to a portable notebook;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment adopting a bottom-locatedpointer location information input device and a bottom-located pointerexecution instruction unit;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a multi-functionalinput button;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrode of amulti-functional input button;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement ofmulti-functional input buttons;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement ofelectrodes of multi-functional input buttons having different patterns;

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary embodiments of an electrical connectionmember of a multi-functional input button;

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a switch of amulti-functional input button for inputting characters;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a human interface devicehaving a multi-functional input button;

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrode key cap;

FIG. 18 to FIG. 22 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of electrodepatterns of a plurality of multi-functional input buttons;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method for switching between atext input mode and a pointer location information input mode;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a method for switching to apermanent touch mode;

FIG. 25 illustrates a multi-functional input button module having aplurality of multi-functional input buttons provided in the shape of aplate;

FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a detailed structure of the electrodeunit 1020;

FIG. 27 illustrates an example of an adhesion part for a conductiveadhesive;

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a multi-functional inputbutton; and

FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a wireless electricalconnection member.

BEST MODE

The present inventive concept relates to a human interface: forreceiving, from a user, an input of text information or pointinglocation information at a digital device capable of receiving the textinformation or pointing location information, such as a computer, anotebook, a tablet PC, and a portable phone; and transmitting thereceived information to the digital device.

A keyboard formed of a plurality of buttons connected to an elastic bodyand a switch has widely been used as an existing text information inputdevice.

Furthermore, a digital device having a touch interface employs a methodin which a virtual keyboard is displayed on a display, and when a partof user body touches the virtual keyboard displayed on the display, auser's gesture or an electrical signal is sensed, and then the text onthe virtual keyboard displayed on the part touched by the user may beinput. The touch interface may recognize the user touch by recognizingmovement of the part of user body, by recognizing contact with aspecific contact surface, by sensing a flow of current through the userbody, or by sensing light, sound waves or the like from being blocks orinterfered with the part of user body.

Examples of the touch interface include a pressure sensing touch screen,a capacitive touch screen, an optical touch screen, and an ultrasonictouch screen.

A resistive touch screen or the pressure sensing touch screen operatesby recognizing pressure.

The resistive touch screen is known to have advantages in terms of lowcost, a stylus pen for writing, and greater precision for writingletters in a small space, but also known to have disadvantages in that,since the resistive touch screen uses pressure, heavy pressing may notbe recognized, and the feeling of touch may be slightly dull as comparedwith the capacitive touch screen.

The resistive touch screen may be formed of multiple layers.

Among the multiple layers, a conductive layer is formed of two layersfacing each other with an air layer therebetween.

When an outer screen is pressed, the two layers of the conductive layercontact each other, which causes change in resistance and current andthus enables a touch to be recognized.

A capacitive sensing or capacitive touch method senses an operation byusing capacitive coupling effects.

Unlike the pressure sensing touch screen using pressure, the capacitivetouch screen is made of indium tin oxide, which is glass having highconductivity.

The glass has sensors attached to four edges thereof, causing current toflow along the surface of the glass.

The capacitive touch method recognizes changes in the current throughthe sensors attached to fore edges.

Upon touching the screen with a finger of the user, electrons flowingalong the glass flow into the body of the user through finger, and thesensors sense the location where changes occur so as to operate thecapacitive touch screen.

The capacitive touch screen is known to allow smoother feeling ofmanipulation and scroll as compared with the pressure sensing touchscreen since the capacitive touch screen does not require heavy pressingon the screen but recognizes even just a slight touch on the screen.Furthermore, the capacitive touch method allows multi-touch capable oftouching multiple points.

Since the capacitive touch screen operates using an amount of change incurrent, the capacitive touch screen may not be operated with fingerswearing leather gloves which do not conduct current, fingernails, orstylus pens.

However, users may operate the capacitive touch screen by using aseparate dedicated stylus pen.

The sensors may be sensitive and thus can be influenced by peripheraldevices.

The optical touch screen includes an infrared camera and infraredlighting mounted on the vertex thereof so as to measure coordinates bythe shadow of an object to touch the screen. The ultrasonic touch screenemits ultrasonic waves thereon so as to sense interference effectscaused by a user touch and measures coordinates for operation.

The present inventive concept may employ other various touch inputtechniques which can be used in sensing contact or motion of a user soas to recognize location information of a part of user body and controllocation information of a pointer.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may include ahousing 100 for supporting the text input device and a pointer locationinformation input region.

The housing may have strength sufficient for enduring pressure of userinput, and include a control unit, a memory unit, a battery unit, anencoding unit, a transmitting unit, and the like so as to receive textinput information and pointer location information input information andtransmit corresponding information to a digital device connected to thetext input device integrated with a pointing device in a wired orwireless manner.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may include aplurality of buttons 109 for receiving text input information from auser.

The plurality of buttons 109 may be formed of physical buttons orvirtual buttons.

Since the physical buttons may be formed of buttons connected to anelastic body, or may be elastic per se, the physical buttons may movewhen an input is received from the user and return to the originallocation when pressure applied from the user is removed.

Since the physical buttons may be connected to an electrical switch, thephysical buttons may move when the pressure is applied from the user anda phase of the electrical switch changes to generate a text input valueof the buttons.

The physical buttons may be elastic but may not be connected to anelectrical switch, and may move when the pressure is applied from theuser and return to the original location when the pressure applied fromthe user is removed. The text input information of the user may begenerated by the touch input device on the basis of the locationinformation in which the pressure or gesture of the user is recognized.

The virtual buttons may be text input buttons displayed on a displaydevice.

The virtual buttons may be certain buttons displayed by projecting lightto a transparent or semi-transparent object.

The virtual buttons may not be recognized by user's eye, and may haveunique location information for each text and generate relevant textinput information on the basis of user's pressure or gestureinformation.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may have a textinput region 107 and pointing location information input regions 108 aand 108 b having at least a part thereof shared with the text inputregion 107.

The pointing location information input regions 108 a and 108 b may belocated at a surface, a top, or a bottom of the button for inputtingtext, and as shown in FIG. 1, the pointing location information inputregions 108 a and 108 b may have at least a part thereof shared with thetext input region 107.

The pointing location information input regions 108 a and 108 b mayinclude the text input region 107, or the text input region 107 mayinclude the pointing location information input regions 108 a and 108 b.

The pointing location information input regions 108 a and 108 b and thetext input region 107 may have at least a part thereof sharedtherebetween, and the at least a part thereof may be used as thepointing location information input regions 108 a and 108 b but not asthe text input region 107, and the at least a part thereof may be usedas the text input region 107 but not as the pointing locationinformation input regions 108 a and 108 b.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may include apointer location information input device 105 for forming a virtual textinput region or a virtual pointing location information input region forinputting text, pointing location information, or both the text andpointing location information, the pointer location information inputdevice 105 being disposed on or outside the text input device integratedwith a pointing device.

The pointer location information input device 105 such as an infraredray generator and an infrared ray receiver, an RGB camera, an ultrasonicgenerator and an ultrasonic receiver, or an infrared ray generator andan infrared camera may sense a part of user body on a surface of orabove the housing 100 so as to receive location information and gestureinformation. The pointer location information input device 105 may beformed into a plurality of devices so as to extend the pointer locationinformation input region or improve accuracy and sensitivity of thepointer location information input region.

For example, a pointer location information input device 105 b may beprovided to allow text input by a right hand or for the pointinglocation information input region 108 b for the right hand.

Furthermore, a pointer location information input device 105 a may beprovided to allow text input by a left hand or for the pointing locationinformation input region 108 a for the left hand. The text input regionfor the right hand or the pointing location information input region 108b for the right hand may include a region of letter J button on astandard English keyboard.

The text input region for the left hand or the pointing locationinformation input region 108 a for the left hand may include a region ofletter F button on a standard English keyboard.

The pointer location information input device 105 may include both theregion of letter J button and the region of letter F button on astandard English keyboard.

When the text input device integrated with a pointing device isconnected to a plurality of digital devices having display units, thepointing location information input regions 108 a and 108 b may allow apointer to be movable on the plurality of display units.

For example, the pointing location information input region may bedivided so as to be matched with respective display units, or a separatebutton indicating the display units may operate so as to transmitpointer location information from a relevant display unit, or theplurality of display units may be recognized as a virtual single displayunit and the pointer location information may be transmitted such that apointer can move on the virtual single display unit.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may include apointing location information input device having a pointing inputregion and receiving pointer location information from a user; andpointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 for executing at leastone function on a button, image, space, icon, or a text input window onwhich the pointer moved by the pointing location information inputdevice is located.

The pointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 may be formed of oneor two buttons, perform respectively first and second functions, andlocated at a left side, a right side, or a center of the housing.

The first function may be, for example, a left click function of acomputer mouse, and the second function may be, for example, arightclick function of a computer mouse.

The pointer execution instruction units formed of one or two buttons maybe located at both the left and right sides of the housing, providinguse convenience to both left-handed and right-handed persons.

The pointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 may operate by atouch of a part of user body, light blocking, interference of ultrasonicwaves, or recognition of a shadow of a part of user body through the useof the touch techniques described above.

The pointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 may be formed ofelastic physical buttons.

The pointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 may operate by usingat least one of text buttons disposed in a text input region outside apointing location information input region. The pointer executioninstruction units 101 and 102 may operate by selecting a physical orvirtual text button on the pointing location information input region.

For example, when a virtual input device is used as a pointing locationinformation input device and a physical button is used as a text inputdevice, pointer location information may be input on a virtual pointinglocation information input region and the physical text button locatedat the corresponding location may be pressed so as to generate a pointerexecution instruction in a pointing location information input mode.

The pointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 may receive pointerlocation information by a first user gesture in the pointing locationinformation input region, and generate a pointer execution instructionby a second user gesture at the same location.

The pointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 may enable a firstfunction to be performed by a first gesture of a user body, a firstvoice, a first eye blinking, a first mouth shape, or the like.

The pointer execution instruction units 101 and 102 may enable a secondfunction to be performed by a second gesture of a user body, a secondvoice, a second eye blinking, a second mouth shape, or the like.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may operate in atext input mode for receiving text information through the text inputdevice, and a pointing location information input mode for receivingpointing location information through the pointing location informationinput device.

Both the text input mode and the pointing location information inputmode may be switched by a mode switching unit 103.

The mode switching unit 103 may be formed of a switch located separatelyon the housing.

The mode switching unit 103 may perform mode switching by sensing aninput received through at least one text input button of the text inputdevice, or simultaneous receptions of a plurality of text inputs.

The mode switching unit 103 may switch modes by receiving controlinformation from the digital device connected to the text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device in a wired or wireless manner.

The mode switching unit 103 may be formed integrally with the pointerexecution instruction unit 102.

For example, a first touch or first pressure by a first gesture such asa contact of a part of user body on the pointer execution instructionunit 102 which shows a primary reaction to the first touch or firstpressure and a secondary reaction to a second touch or second pressuremay be sensed so as to switch modes, and a reaction to the second touchor second pressure by a second gesture such as a button pressing gesturemay generate a pointer execution instruction.

The mode switching unit 103 may include a temporary switching mode and apermanent switching mode.

For example, the temporary switching mode may be set in which a textinput mode is switched to a pointing location information input mode inreaction to the first touch or first pressure, and the pointing locationinformation input mode is switched again to the text input mode when thefirst touch or first pressure is removed.

Alternatively, the temporary switching mode may be set in which apointing location information input mode is switched to a text inputmode in reaction to the first touch or first pressure, and the textinput mode is switched again to the pointing location information inputmode when the first touch or first pressure is removed.

The permanent switching mode may be set in which a text input mode isswitched to a pointing location information input mode in reaction tothe second touch or second pressure, and the pointing locationinformation input mode is maintained when the second touch or secondpressure is removed.

The temporary mode switching can be performed by first controlinformation received from the digital device connected to the text inputdevice integrated with a pointing device in a wired or wireless manner.

The permanent mode switching can be performed by second controlinformation received from the digital device connected to the text inputdevice integrated with a pointing device in a wired or wireless manner.

The mode switching unit 103 may be formed integrally with the pointerexecution instruction unit.

For example, temporary mode switching may be performed from the textinput mode to the pointer location information input mode when the firsttouch or first pressure is sensed on the pointer execution instructionunit, a pointer execution instruction may be generated when the secondtouch or second pressure is sensed, and the permanent switching mode maybe set when a third touch or third pressure is applied, so as to operatein the pointer location information input mode even when the third touchor third pressure is removed.

In this case, the pointer execution instruction may be input in thepermanent switching mode. Mode switching units 106 a and 106 b may beprovided to a left side or a right side of the housing.

The mode switching units 106 a and 106 b provided to the left side,right side, or both left and right sides may be formed of a virtualbutton or physical button so as to operate by sensing a user touch inputor pressure.

The mode switching units 106 a and 106 b provided to the left side,right side, or both left and right sides may have an input region equalto or larger than 3 centimeters and smaller than 15 centimeters alongthe side surface of the housing.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may include atransmitting unit 104 for transmitting data wiredly or wirelessly to theoutside or a digital device having the text input device integrated witha pointing device.

The digital device may receive text input or pointer locationinformation.

FIG. 2 is flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an operationsequence according to mode switching between a pointing device and atext device.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may have aseparate power unit, or receive power wiredly or wirelessly from anexternal source, and have a separate switch for controlling the powerunit.

When power is supplied to the text input device integrated with apointing device by the switch for controlling the power unit, it may bedetermined whether the text input device integrated with a pointingdevice is currently in a text input mode or a pointing locationinformation input mode (200).

If it is determined that the text input device integrated with apointing device is in a text input mode, the text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device may be activated to receive text inputfrom a user (201).

The text input from the user may be transmitted to the digital devicewhich is connected in a wired or wireless manner.

The text input mode may be switched to the pointing location informationinput mode during an operation of the text input device integrated witha pointing device in the text input mode. Alternatively, a text inputoperation and a pointing location information input operation may besimultaneously performed.

When the mode is switched to the pointing location information inputmode, pointing location information may be input from a user (204).

The input pointing location information may be transmitted to thedigital device which is connected in a wired or wireless manner (205).

When the text input device integrated with a pointing device receives afirst pointer execution instruction (206), the text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device may transmit the received firstpointer execution instruction to the digital device which is connectedin a wired or wireless manner (207).

When the text input device integrated with a pointing device receives asecond pointer execution instruction (208), the text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device may transmit the received secondpointer execution instruction to the digital device which is connectedin a wired or wireless manner (209).

When temporary mode switching or permanent mode switching is cancelled,the text input device integrated with a pointing device may be switchedto a text input mode.

The operation may end when power of the text input device integratedwith a pointing device is cut off by the power switch of the power unit,when no digital device is connected, when disconnected, when user inputis absent for a certain time, or by a control of the digital devicewhich is connected in a wired or wireless manner.

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary embodiments of configurations of text inputdevices and pointing devices.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may include afirst housing 301 including a power unit, a control unit, acommunication unit or the like; and a second housing 302 having a textinput region and a pointing location information input region.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device may have a textinput device and a text input region 303 for receiving text input from auser.

The text input region 303 may be formed of a virtual button or aphysical button.

The pointing location information input device may be formed into a formof a pressure sensing or capacitive touch pad and positioned on thephysical button of the text input device (304).

When the text input device is formed into a form of a physical touch padsuch as a pressure sensing or capacitive touch pad, the touch pad may beused as a text input device and a pointing location information inputdevice of which modes may be switched by the mode switching unit.

The physical touch pad such as a pressure sensing or capacitive touchpad may be used as a large-area touch pad type text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device 300 formed of a touch pad 304including a plurality of text button regions of a text input unit.

Alternatively, the physical touch pad such as a pressure sensing orcapacitive touch pad may be used as a multi-touch pad type text inputdevice integrated with a pointing device 310 formed of a plurality oftouch pads 311 including one text button region of a text input unit.Alternatively, the physical touch pad may be used as a top camera typetext input device integrated with a pointing device 320 which receives(321) a pointing location information input by an infrared camera or anRGB camera 222 provided on a top of the pointing location informationinput region.

The top camera type text input device integrated with a pointing device320 may form a virtual text input button 303 by using the top camera.

The physical touch pad may be used as a bottom camera 332 type textinput device integrated with a pointing device 330 in which the camerais provided at a bottom of the second housing so as to receive (331) apointing location information input.

The bottom camera type text input device integrated with a pointingdevice 330 may form the virtual text input button 303 substituting for aphysical text button by using the bottom camera.

The physical touch pad may be used as a transmitting/receiving textinput device integrated with a pointing device 340 which receives apointing location information input through a virtual pointing locationinformation input region 341 formed of a pair of infrared ray receiversor ultrasonic receivers for receiving information in which infrared raysor ultrasonic waves transmitted from an infrared ray transmitter or anultrasonic receiver are blocked or interfered with a part of user body.

The virtual pointing location information input region 341 formed of apair of infrared ray receivers or ultrasonic receivers may be used as avirtual text button input means in place of a physical text button bythe mode switching unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary embodiments of a mode switching unitintegrated with a pointer execution instruction unit.

A mode switching unit integrated with a pointer execution instructionunit 400 using a touch input includes a button type pointer executioninstruction unit including an elastic body 403 moving by pressureapplied from a user and returning to an original location when thepressure is removed; a button 402 for receiving the pressure appliedfrom the user; and switches 404 and 405 moving and contacting each otherby the pressure from the user so as to generate a pointer executioninstruction, and a mode switching unit 401 is provided on a top of thebutton 402 so as to sense an input of user touch and switch between atext mode and a pointing location information input mode.

A pressure-discriminating mode switching unit integrated with a pointerexecution instruction unit 410 includes a button type pointer executioninstruction unit including the elastic body 403 moving by pressureapplied from a user and returning to an original location when thepressure is removed; the button 402 for receiving the pressure appliedfrom the user; first switches 404 and 405 moving and contacting eachother by first pressure from the user so as to generate a pointerexecution instruction; and second switches 411 and 412 contacting eachother by second pressure from the user smaller than the first pressurefrom the user so as to generate a mode switching execution instruction.

The button 402 may move and be fixed such that the button 402 may notreturn to its original location by the elastic body 403 in thepressure-discriminating mode switching unit integrated with a pointerexecution instruction unit 410.

In this case, the button 402 may be fixed at a location in which thesecond switches 411 and 412 contact each other but the first switches404 and 405 do not contact each other so as to operate in a permanentswitching mode when the button 402 is fixed.

The mode switching unit integrated with a pointer execution instructionunit 400 using a touch input may be configured to operate a permanentmode switching switch 414 by an operation such as button sliding, andthe pointer execution instruction switches 404 and 405 operate whenadditional pressure is applied while operating the permanent modeswitching switch 414.

The mode switching unit integrated with a pointer execution instructionunit 410 may be formed of a touch pad 421 which operates as a modeswitching unit when an area of a part of user body contacting the touchpad 421 is within a first predetermined range and as a pointer executioninstruction unit when the area is within a second predetermined range.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pointer locationinformation input region. A human interface device of the presentinventive concept may be designed to further include pointer locationinformation input region display units 701 and 701 for visuallydisplaying the pointer location information input region in a pointerlocation information input mode.

A mode switching unit of the present inventive concept may be providedseparately from the button of the text input unit, and designed torecognize that a part of user body touches a part of a human interfacebody and switch between the text input mode and the pointer locationinformation input mode, such that the human interface operates in thepointer location information input mode when the part of user bodytouches and in the text input mode when the part of user body does nottouch.

In this case, the mode switching unit may be designed such that, if thepart of user body used for the mode switching is a right hand (106 b),then a left hand may input the pointer location information (108 a).

In this case, it may be preferable that the pointer location informationinput region is closer to the edge opposite to the edge at which themode switching unit is positioned, and if a user uses his/her left handand right hand contrariwise, the mode switching unit may be designedfollowing the same principle (106 a and 108 b).

The mode switching unit may be designed such that the part of user bodyused for the mode switching is a right hand and the right hand alsoinputs the pointer location information. In this case, it may bepreferable that the pointer location information input region is closerto the edge at which the mode switching unit is positioned than to theedge opposite to the edge at which the mode switching unit ispositioned, and if the part of user body used for the mode switching isa left hand and the left hand also inputs the pointer locationinformation, the mode switching unit may be designed following the sameprinciple.

The mode switching unit may determine the text input mode and thepointer location information input mode by the number of the fingers ofthe user recognized by the pointer location information input unit.

The number of the fingers of the user recognized as the pointer locationinformation input mode may be smaller than the number of the fingers ofthe user recognized as the text input mode.

For example, a left finger may not touch the text input button and aright index finger may touch the button for inputting pointer locationinformation while controlling the mode switching unit by a left hand,and in this case, the number of the fingers of the user recognized maybe one.

On the contrary, when the fingers of the left hand and right hand toucha keyboard so as to input text, the number of the fingers of the userrecognized may be two to eight.

The pointer location information input mode display unit may temporarilydisplay a pointer location information input mode when a mode isswitched to the pointer location information input mode by the modeswitching unit, or may visually display the pointer location informationinput region from the time of switching to the pointer locationinformation input mode to the time of cancellation.

The pointer location information input mode display unit may display themode by the reflected light from the text input button or by the textinput button by a visible ray generator, or through spacing between thetext input buttons.

The pointer location information input mode display unit may includeinvisible ray generators 701 a and 701 b, and surfaces 702 a and 702 bon which dye optically reacting to the invisible rays so as to emitvisible rays is applied, and the dye may be applied to the text inputbutton or the spacing between the text input buttons.

The mode switching unit may further include a hand side determinationunit for determining whether the user inputs the pointer locationinformation by the left hand or the right hand.

The display region of the pointer location information input modedisplay unit may be flexibly displayed according to the determination ofthe hand side determination unit.

The arrangement and operation of the buttons of the pointer executioninstruction unit may be fluidly switched according to the determinationof the hand side determination unit.

For example, if the pointer execution instruction unit includes a mouseright click and a mouse left click, the button to perform the mouseright click and the mouse left click may be switched according to thedetermination of the hand side determination unit.

The pointer location information input region display unit may displaydifferent pointer location information input regions (702 a and 702 b)according to the determination result of the hand side determinationunit.

The mode switching unit may be designed to automatically switch to thetext input mode when the pointer location information is not inputtedfrom a user for a predetermined time or an input is received through thetext input button during the pointer location information input mode.

The pointer location information input region display unit may beconfigured in that dye is applied to a part of the text input button orthe text input region so as to visually display regardless of the modeswitched by the mode switching unit, such that the pointer input regioncan be recognized during the text input mode.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mode switching unitintegrated with a pointer execution instruction unit.

An inputting operation which requires frequent switching between thetext input mode and the pointer location information input mode alsorequires increased frequency of mode switching and pointer executioninstruction inputting.

For example, when a right-handed user intends to input pointer locationinformation while inputting text in a text input mode, the user needs toswitch the mode by the left or right hand, input the pointer locationinformation, and then input the pointer execution instruction to thepointer execution instruction unit by the left hand.

In general, users may input text, pointer location information, andpointer execution instruction with their eyes kept on a monitor in abusy working environment, and when the mode switching unit and thepointer execution instruction input unit are provided separately fromeach other, the users need to move their hands frequently, and thus theusers may not find an accurate location, resulting in a failure of workperformance, or the users may need to see the keyboard, making worktroublesome.

To solve these problems, if a right-handed user, for example, puts,after inputting text in a text input mode, his/her left hand on the modeswitching unit, a mode switching instruction is generated to switch to apointer input mode. Furthermore, if the user inputs pointer locationinformation by his/her right hand with his/her left hand kept on themode switching unit, and then applies pressure to the mode switchingunit, the pointer execution instruction unit receives input of the user.

Thus, users may share the location of the mode switching unit for modeswitching and the location of the pointer execution instruction unit forpointer execution instruction.

As one exemplary embodiment, the mode switching unit may be formed of atouch switch capable of receiving an input of a user hand touch, and thepointer execution instruction unit may be formed of a switch reacting topressure such as a tact switch, and positioned beneath the modeswitching unit.

A first pointer execution instruction unit 1104 and a second pointerexecution instruction unit 1105 may be interconnected by a conductormaterial capable of recognizing a touch from a user hand, or commonlyconnected to a mode switching unit 1201 such that mode switching can beperformed identically when the user touches either the first pointerexecution instruction unit 1104 or the second pointer executioninstruction unit 1105.

In this case, an operation is performed in a pointer locationinformation input mode during a touch, and in a text input mode when thetouch is cancelled.

A mode switching operation by a touch may be performed by a switch otherthan the touch, operating with pressure smaller than the pressure for apointer execution instruction, or a sensor capable of sensing thelocation of user's finger.

In this case, the mode switching unit and the pointer executioninstruction unit may be disposed in a region different from the textinput region. Preferably, for a right-handed person, the mode switchingunit and the pointer execution instruction unit may be disposed in aleft outside of the text input region. When the mode switching unit andthe pointer execution instruction unit are disposed outside the textinput region, the possibility of confusion arising from the pointerlocation information input unit and pointer location information inputmay be eliminated, and the pointer location information input region maybe extended.

The multi-functional human interface device of the present inventiveconcept may include a second mode switching unit 1202. The second modeswitching unit 1202 may operate together with a toggle switch, andswitch between the text input mode and the pointer location informationinput mode whenever an input is received from a user. This enables theuser to input pointer location information just by his/her right handeven when the left hand of the user is not in touch with the modeswitching unit.

In this case, the multi-functional human interface device of the presentinventive concept may operate in a pointer location information inputmode upon receiving a mode switching instruction by a touch when themulti-functional human interface device is in a text mode by the secondmode switching unit 1202. Furthermore, the multi-functional humaninterface device may be maintained in a pointer location informationinput mode upon receiving a mode switching instruction by a touch whenthe multi-functional human interface device is in a pointer locationinformation input mode by the second mode switching unit 1202, but themulti-functional human interface device is switched to a text input modewhen a mode switching instruction by a touch is cancelled or a textinput is received through the text input unit.

When the multi-functional human interface device is switched to a textinput mode by a text input, at least a first text input may be ignored,and the multi-functional human interface device may be switched to thetext input mode upon receiving at least two text inputs.

When the multi-functional human interface device is switched to the textinput mode upon receiving at least two text inputs, the multi-functionalhuman interface device may transmit, to the digital device, text inputsincluding the ignored at least first text, and then transmit newly inputtext input information to the digital device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a utilization of a humaninterface device cover.

In the multi-functional human interface device, the pointer locationinformation input device may require a space of at least 1 mm to 2 mm ona plane of the text input device formed into a physical device so as toform a pointer location information input region, and require a rim inwhich an absorber or a reflector for absorbing or reflecting an opticalsignal is positioned, at edges of at least three sides enclosing a textinput region.

In this case, a gap of at least 1 mm to 2 mm is formed between theheight of the rim of the at least three sides and the plane of the textinput region, and a substantially rectangular space is formed in thegap.

The multi-functional human interface device of the present inventiveconcept may further include a multi-functional cover 1322 in thesubstantially rectangular space so as to protect the text input regionfrom impact applied from outside (1310).

The multi-functional cover 1322 may be separated from themulti-functional human interface device, and may be coupled or decoupledto or from the multi-functional human interface device by a magnet or aphysical structure.

The multi-functional cover 1322 may be foldable several times.Preferably, the multi-functional cover 1322 may have a twice-foldablestructure, and the width of at least one of divided regions of themulti-functional cover 1322 may be narrower than the width of otherregions (1341).

This may further reduce the slope of the multi-functional humaninterface device when the multi-functional cover 1322 is folded anddisposed beneath the multi-functional human interface device so as toadjust the slope of the multi-functional human interface device.

When the multi-functional cover 1322 is folded and disposed beneath themulti-functional human interface device, the portion contacting theground among the part of the folded surface may have a tilted surface(1342) for increasing an area contacting the ground.

The slope of the multi-functional human interface device may be adjustedaccording to a user's desire by the number of folding of themulti-functional cover 1322.

The multi-functional cover 1322 may have a built-in charge battery 1323therein.

The charge battery 1323 may have power with an electrode which isdisposed in a part of the region protruding further than a part coveringthe text input region, covering the rim of the part covering the textinput region beneath the multi-functional cover 1322 (1331), and thepower may be connected to an electrode provided on the top of themulti-functional human interface device when the text input device iscovered with the multi-functional cover 1322 (1310).

When the multi-functional cover 1322 is folded and disposed beneath themulti-functional human interface device to as to adjust the slope of themulti-functional human interface device, the power of the charge battery1323 may be connected to an electrode provided at a bottom surface ofthe multi-functional human interface device.

The multi-functional human interface device may be connected to externalpower so as to supply power to the charge battery 1323 in themulti-functional cover 1322 or separately charge the multi-functionalcover 1322.

In this case, the bottom surface of the multi-functional human interfacedevice may have a groove to which a magnet, a physical coupling device,or a cover is inserted such that the multi-functional human interfacedevice can be coupled/decoupled, at an accurate location, to/from theprotruded rim region in which the electrode 1331 is disposed and to/froma region 1332 covering the text input region having a gap differencefrom the protruded rim region.

A material capable of removing fine dust, oil stain, moisture, and thelike can be applied to the rim of the multi-functional cover 1322, andthus foreign substances can be removed from an absorber plate, areflector plate, an optical emitter, or a front surface of a camera whenthe multi-functional cover 1322 is attached/detached to/from themulti-functional human interface device.

When the text input region is covered with the multi-functional cover1322, the cover may be detected so as to turn the power of themulti-functional human interface device off.

When the multi-functional cover 1322 is disposed on the bottom surfaceof the multi-functional human interface device, the power of themulti-functional human interface device may be turned on.

Furthermore, when a user input is absent for a predetermined time afterpower turn-on, the power may be cut off or a mode may be switched to astandby mode.

When the text input region is covered with the multi-functional cover1322 (1310), a multi-functional human interface device 1321 may have asubstantially thin rectangular plate shape, and may be designed to haveno slope when put on the ground, thereby maximizing aesthetic effectsand improving portability.

When the multi-functional cover 1322 is folded and disposed at thebottom surface of the multi-functional human interface device, themulti-functional human interface device may have a slope similar tothose of general keyboards.

The multi-functional cover 1322 may be attachable/detachable, butalternatively, may be designed to descend round from the top to thebottom of the multi-functional human interface device by a hinge andfolded.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a human interface deviceapplied to a portable notebook.

A human interface device 1420 of the present inventive concept may beused as an input device of a portable notebook.

The portable notebook having the human interface device of the presentinventive concept may be designed in that a display unit including adisplay panel 1411 and a frame 1410 supporting the display panel 1411 isconnected to the human interface device of the present inventive conceptby a hinge 1427 such that the portable notebook can be folded andunfolded.

In this case, the display unit may be inserted to an inside of a wallformed by a reflector plate or absorber plate 1424 of the humaninterface device of the present inventive concept. Thus, the thicknessof the portable notebook using the human interface device of the presentinventive concept may be minimized.

To this end, the display unit of the portable notebook may have a widththat needs to be at least two times thickness of the reflector plate1423 or absorber plate 1424 shorter than the width of the humaninterface device 1420 of the present inventive concept.

That is, the display unit needs to be designed so as to be inserted intothe place in which the multi-functional cover is inserted, as shown inFIG. 13.

The display unit may have both corners rounded or diagonally cut (1413).

Pointer location information input devices 1421 and 1422 may bepositioned outside the rounded or diagonally cut corners of the displayunit when the display unit is folded.

Thus, the portable notebook may maintain its thickness thin withoutbeing interfered with the pointer location information input devices1421 and 1422 when the portable notebook is folded.

In this case, a mode switching unit and a pointer execution instructionunit may be provided outside a side surface of the human interfacedevice.

More preferably, the mode switching unit and the pointer executioninstruction unit may be provided outside down the text input region(1425 and 1426).

In this case, it may be preferable that the mode switching unit and thepointer execution instruction unit are integrally formed, as shown inFIG. 12, but the mode switching unit and the pointer executioninstruction unit may be separated from each other.

In case the mode switching unit or the pointer execution instructionunit is provided outside down the text input region, the pointerlocation information input region needs to be set in an area excludingthe area in which the mode switching unit or the pointer executioninstruction unit is provided, so as to prevent the location informationinput devices 1421 and 1422 from erroneously operating with amisdetection that a user inputs pointer location information, when theuser puts his/her finger on the mode switching unit or the pointerexecution instruction unit so as to control the mode switching unit orthe pointer execution instruction unit.

To this end, an area covered by an optical signal generated from apointer location information input device may be adjusted such that theoptical signal cannot arrive the mode switching unit or the pointerexecution instruction unit

Alternatively, an optical signal receiving angle of a camera may beadjusted, or the camera may be set to ignore an optical signal receivedin a corresponding direction such that the camera cannot receive theoptical signal generated by a reflection, an interference, or blockingbetween the optical signal and user's finger positioned on the modeswitching unit or the pointer execution instruction unit.

The portable notebook may be designed to have, on at least three edgesthereof, an absorber plate or a reflector plate for absorbing orreflecting a light generated from the pointer location information inputdevice.

In this case, the reflectors or the absorbers may be disposed at twoedges of the respective side surfaces of the human interface device(1423 and 1424), and disposed in a predetermined region 1412 at the restof the three edges where the display unit contacts the human interfacedevice such that the light generated by the pointer location informationinput devices 1421 and 1422 can be fully reflected or absorbed when thedisplay unit is opened within a predetermined angle.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment adopting a bottom-locatedpointer location information input device and a bottom-located pointerexecution instruction unit.

A human interface device may include a text input unit 1501 formed of aplurality of physical buttons; a pointer location information input unitfor receiving, from a user, information related to a pointer location; apointer execution instruction receiving unit for receiving signals ofpointer execution instruction units 1505 and 1506 for receiving userinstruction so as to perform at least one function at the pointerlocation; a mode switching instruction receiving unit for receiving asignal of a mode switching unit for switching to a pointer locationinformation input mode; and a pointer location information transmittingunit for transmitting the information related to the pointer location,input to the pointer location information input unit, to a digitaldevice connected to the human interface device in a wired or wirelessmanner, wherein the pointer location information input unit may have apointer location information input region disposed to be parallel to atop of at least a part of a text input region of the text input unitformed of a plurality of physical buttons, and the pointer locationinformation input unit may include, at first to third surfaces thereof1502 a, 1502 b and 1502 c enclosing the text input unit, optical signalreflectors or absorbers 1503 a, 1503 b and 1503 c formed higher than aheight of the text input unit, and a fourth surface 1502 d enclosing thetext input unit is formed lower than height of the first to thirdsurfaces, and the fourth surface 1502 d may include the pointerexecution instruction units 1505 and 1506. The first and third surfacesmay be disposed respectively at left and right sides of the text inputunit, the second surface may be disposed on the text input unit, and thefourth surface may be disposed beneath the text input unit.

The pointer location information input unit may include at least twosensor modules, and the two sensor modules may be disposed respectivelyat edges of left and right lower ends of the text input unit.

The mode switching unit may operate by a first user input inputted to afirst button, and the pointer execution instruction receiving unit mayoperate by a second user input inputted to the first button.

The first button may be made of a material capable of sensing anelectrical signal generated by a finger touch, and the first input maybe generated by detecting the electrical signal.

The mode switching unit may operate in the pointer location informationinput mode during maintenance of the first input, and cancel the pointerlocation information input mode when the first input is cancelled, andthe first input may be generated by physical pressure.

The mode switching unit may operate by a second user input inputted to asecond button, and, when the second input is inputted one time, activatethe pointer location information input mode if the pointer locationinformation input mode is cancelled, and cancel the pointer locationinformation input mode if the pointer location information input mode isactivated.

In this case, it may be preferable that light generated by the pointerlocation information input devices 1421 and 1422, and an image receivingdevice are directed toward a center of a keyboard.

When the keyboard is small, or to ensure a wider pointer locationinformation input region, the reflector plate rather than the absorberplate among the reflector plate or the reflector plate 1423 and 1424positioned at a side surface of the human interface device may be used,and the light generated by the pointer location information inputdevices 1421 and 1422, and the image receiving device may be directedtoward the reflector plate 1423 and 1424.

That is, the pointer location information input device 1421 may receivepointer location information reflected by the reflector plate 1423.

The pointer location information input device 1422 may receive pointerlocation information reflected by the reflector plate 1424.

Thus, an effect of enabling the pointer location information inputdevices 1421 and 1422 to be located in left and right outsides of anactual multi-functional human interface device can be obtained,providing a wider mouse pointer location information input region.

In this case, the reflector plate 1423 and 1424 may be provided to havean angle opened at a predetermined angle of 1 to 15 degrees. That is,the reflector plate 1423 and 1424 may be arranged such that a bottomthereof opens wider than a top thereof.

Thus, an effect of enabling the pointer location information inputdevices 1421 and 1422 to be located in left and right outsides of anactual multi-functional human interface device can be obtained, and aneffect of enabling the pointer location information input devices 1421and 1422 to move upwardly by a predetermined distance so as not to beinterfered with the pointer execution instruction input device locatedat a bottom of the keyboard can be obtained.

The multi-functional human interface device may include reflection unitsfor reflecting light generated from the pointer location informationinput units, at least two pointer location information input units maybe provided respectively at left and right sides of the human interfacedevice, the reflection units may be provided respectively at left andright sides of the human interface device, and the left pointer locationinformation input unit may be directed toward the left reflection unitso as to receive light input through the left reflection unit, and theright pointer location information input unit may be directed toward theright reflection unit so as to receive light input through the rightreflection unit.

The left and right reflection units may not be parallel to each otherand may be opened toward areas in which the left and right pointerlocation information input units are disposed. The pointer locationinformation input region may be divided into a first region and a secondregion. That is, a pointer location information input signal from aright hand may be received from the first region, and a pointer locationinformation input signal from a left hand may be received from thesecond region.

In general, a multi-touch control may receive a plurality of touch inputsignals, and determine a control command according to an aspect offurther movement of the plurality of touch input signals.

However, in the present exemplary embodiment, a first pointer locationinformation input signal received from the first pointer locationinformation input region may be used in identifying the number of touchinputs.

Furthermore, a second pointer location information input signal receivedfrom the second pointer location information input region may be used inreceiving a touch input movement signal.

That is, for example, when a vertical sliding touch is input by usingone right finger with left two fingers kept on touch inputting, thesignal generated from this operation can be replaced by two touchsignals having a general multi-touch function, used in a vertical touchinput. In general, performing vertical scrolling on Internet browser maybe an example of performing a vertical sliding touch input by twotouches in Macbook of Apple Inc. In this case, when one right fingertaps, the left hand performs two touch inputs, and thus the performancewould be the same as tapping with two fingers.

For another example, when a horizontal sliding touch is input by usingthe right hand with left three fingers kept on touch inputting, thesignal generated from this operation can be replaced by three touchsignals having a general multi-touch function, used in a horizontalsliding touch input. In general, performing functions such as swipe on awhole screen application or dragging by three fingers may be an exampleof performing a horizontal sliding touch input by three touches inMacbook of Apple Inc. In this case, when one right finger taps, the lefthand performs three touch inputs, and thus the performance would be thesame as those of tapping with three fingers. The example of the lefthand and right hand may be replaced by the example of the right hand andleft hand, and the number of input signals for determining the number oftouches is not limited to two or three described above, but includesone, four, or five touches.

The information related to the pointer location received by the pointerlocation information input unit may include information related to afirst pointer location for moving the pointer location, and informationrelated to a second pointer location for switching from a text inputmode to a pointer location information input mode in the human interfacedevice.

For example, when a pointer location information input signal higherthan a preset threshold level is generated in a text input mode, themode may be switched to a pointer location information input mode.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a multi-functionalinput button.

The multi-functional input button may form the text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device 310 in a human interface such as akeyboard, including: a text input unit 303 for inputting at least onetext; and a physical touch pad 311 such as a capacitive pad for moving amouse pointer or inputting pointing location information for inputting auser touch or 3D gesture on a screen.

The present exemplary embodiment describes a capacitive touch methoduseful in a pointing location information input unit, but the modeswitching unit, the pointer execution instruction input unit, specialfunction keys, locations of the mode switching unit and the pointerexecution instruction unit, the connection to the inner or outer displayunit, the battery embedding method using the cover unit, the function ofadjusting the angle of the human interface device, the text inputregion, the mouse pointing location information input region, and thelike of the multi-functional human interface device described above byusing the pointing location information input unit adopting an opticalmethod can be applied the same to the present exemplary embodiment.

The text input device integrated with a pointing device 310 may beformed of a plurality of multi-functional input buttons.

The multi-functional input button may include a cover unit 1010 on whichuser's finger touch is performed; an electrode unit 1020 including atransmitter and a receiver for generating an electrical field; and abase unit 1030 for protecting the electrode unit and ensuringconnectivity to an elastic unit.

The elastic unit may include an elastic body 1050, an upper support unit1040, and a lower support unit 1060.

The upper support unit and the lower support unit may be formed into acylindrical or polygonal body shape, and may move location thereofthrough the elastic body, and the lower support unit may guide themovement of the upper support unit.

The upper support unit may be fixed to the cover unit, the electrodeunit, and the base unit. The lower support unit may serve as a guide fora reciprocation of the upper support unit. The upper support unit andthe lower support unit may have a pantograph structure, interconnect anupper structure including the electrode unit and a lower structureincluding the elastic unit, and guide the movement of the upperstructure.

The elastic body may be a dome-shaped elastic material having restoringforce, a plate-shaped elastic material having restoring force, aspring-shaped elastic material, a plurality of magnets having differentpolarities facing each other, and a combination thereof. The elasticunit may receive second pressure from the cover unit so as to move to athird height, and return to a first height when the second pressure ofthe second cover unit is cancelled. Moving to the third height may meana physical movement, bending of an object by pressure, or sensing thesecond pressure by software and the like.

A pointer execution instruction may be generated upon sensing of thefirst pressure, and an additional pointer execution instruction may begenerated upon sensing of the second pressure.

For example, an application execution instruction may be displayed at apointer location by the first pressure, and an additional option, apreview and the like of the application may be performed by the secondpressure.

An electrical signal indicating an input of a predetermined charactergenerated through the switch of the first to fifth multi-functionalinput buttons may indicate an input of different characters, and acontact location of the user finger or a change in the contact locationdetermined from the signal received through the electrode unit of thefirst to fifth multi-functional input buttons may intend to successivelycontrol the locations of one pointer. The human interface device mayfurther include a mode switching unit for switching between a text inputmode and a pointing location information input mode.

The mode switching unit may operate by the multi-functional inputbutton, a separate physical switch unit, a touch switch unit, or apredetermined touch pattern.

The human interface device may generate pointing location informationfor controlling successively one pointing input device on a characterinput device formed of a plurality of combinations of multi-functionalinput buttons capable of inputting one character and an electrode of theplurality of multi-functional input buttons.

The human interface device may include the mode switching unit and thepointer execution instruction unit separately from the plurality ofmulti-functional input buttons.

The mode switching unit and the pointer execution instruction unit maybe one button formed of an electrode capable of recognizing a user touchand a switch, and may generate a pointer execution instruction by apressure signal without the need of moving or taking off fingers aftermode switching by a touch.

The multi-functional input buttons may include a light emitting unit1070.

The light emitting unit 1070 may light characters indicating characterinput on the multi-functional input buttons, or may light locations ofthe multi-functional input buttons.

The light emitting unit may be disposed on the upper structure includingthe electrode unit, or a lower structure including the elastic body.

The upper structure may include the electrode unit, move by pressurefrom a user, and include the cover unit, the electrode unit, the baseunit and the like.

The lower structure may be a part including a structure, which guidesthe movement of the upper structure and transmits or receives anelectrical signal from the electrode unit, and not moving when pressureis applied from a user.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrode of amulti-functional input button.

An electrode unit adopting a capacitive touch method may include aplurality of transmitters and receivers.

A general electrode unit adopting a capacitive touch method may have asquare shape in which transmitters in 5 to 30 rows and receivers in 5 to30 columns are arranged in a grid. The multi-functional input buttons ofthe present exemplary embodiment may be formed of an electrode unithaving a size same as that of one character input button having a widthof 10 to 20 mm.

The electrode unit may form an independent small touch pad to be used asa pointing location information input device, and may cooperate with aplurality of multi-functional input buttons so as to be used as aconnective pointing location information input device in a wider region.

The electrode unit may include one to three transmitters and receivers.

The electrode unit of one of the multi-functional input buttons of thepresent exemplary embodiment will be described by way of example of amulti-functional input button including three columns of transmittershaving different driver signal periods and two rows of receivers havingdifferent scan periods.

Here, a period may refer to a timing for generating a signal.

In the present inventive concept, the number and shape of transmittersand receivers may be readily modified by a person skilled in the artaccording to the size and shape of the button. The electrode unit mayinclude first transmitters 1101, 1102 and 1103 having a first driveperiod, second transmitters 1104, 1105 and 1106 having a second driveperiod, and third transmitters 1107, 1108 and 1109 having a third driveperiod.

The electrode unit may include first receivers 1110 and 1111 having afirst scan period, and second receivers 1112 and 1113 having a secondscan period.

The first to third transmitters may be short-circuited from each otheror connected into a single unit without a separate connection member ona circuit board.

The first and second receivers may be short-circuited from each otherand printed on a circuit board and connected by a separate connectionmember, or may be arranged to be independently scanned with anelectrical signal such as capacity during a scan period.

The electrode unit of the present exemplary embodiment may require aspecial design such that a plurality of electrode units of a pluralityof multi-functional input buttons can be recognized as a singlelarge-area electrode unit and each of the multi-functional input buttonscan move upwards and downwards.

For example, the second transmitters may have a width wider than the sumof widths of the first and third transmitters.

The sum of widths of the first to third transmitters may be smaller thanthe sum of widths of the first and second receivers.

Receivers having one scan period may be interconnected in a generalcapacitive touch pad. In the present exemplary embodiment, the firstreceiver having one scan period may include at least two receiver blocks1110 and 1111, and the at least two receiver blocks 1110 and 1111 may beshort-circuited from each other and transmit a scan signal to anoutside.

The scan signal may be processed by summing capacitive signals receivedfrom the respective receiver blocks.

Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, the transmitters arearranged in a column and the receivers are arranged in a row, thetransmitters may be arranged in a row and the receiver may be arrangedin a column in the same structure.

The transmitters and the receivers may be electrically short-circuitedby insulators 1114 and 1115.

The electrode unit may include a bridge 1120 stacked or connected belowso as to transmit and receive an external driver signal and a scansignal.

The bridge may transmit a driver signal to the electrode unit, andreceive a capacitive signal from the receiver.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement ofmulti-functional input buttons.

The multi-functional human interface device of the present exemplaryembodiment may include at least five multi-functional input buttons.

A second multi-functional input button 1220 and a third multi-functionalinput button 1230 may be disposed respective at a left side and a rightside of a first multi-functional input button 1210, a central point ofthe second multi-functional input button may be arranged on a virtualX-axis line extending leftward and rightward from a central point of thefirst multi-functional input button, and a central point of the thirdmulti-functional input button may be arranged on a virtual X-axis lineextending rightward from a central point of the first multi-functionalinput button.

The multi-functional human interface device may further include a fourthmulti-functional input button 1240 and a fifth multi-functional inputbutton 1250, and a central point of the forth multi-functional inputbutton 1240 may be arranged at a left side from a virtual Y-axisextending upward from the central point of the first multi-functionalinput button and at a right side from a virtual Y-axis extending upwardfrom the central point of the second multi-functional input button, anda central point of the fifth multi-functional input button 1250 may bearranged at a right side from a virtual Y-axis extending downward fromthe central point of the first multi-functional input button and at aleft side from a virtual Y-axis extending downward from the centralpoint of the third multi-functional input button, and the fourth andfifth multi-functional input buttons may be disposed adjacent to thefirst multi-functional input button.

The distance by which the central point of the fourth multi-functionalinput button 1240 is spaced leftward apart from the virtual Y-axisextending upward from the central point of the first multi-functionalinput button 1210 may be shorter than the distance by which the centralpoint of the fifth multi-functional input button 1250 is spacedrightward apart from the virtual Y-axis extending downward from thecentral point of the first multi-functional input button 1210.

For example, the fifth multi-functional input button 1250 may bedisposed at the location spaced rightward apart from the Y-axis by 40 to60 percent of the width of the first multi-functional input button 1210.

The fourth multi-functional input button 1240 may be disposed at thelocation spaced leftward apart from the Y-axis as much as 15 to 35percent of the width of the first multi-functional input button 1210.

The first transmitter of the first to third multi-functional inputbuttons may have a driver signal period same as that of the thirdtransmitter of the fourth multi-functional input button 1240.

The second receiver of the first multi-functional input button 1210 mayhave a scan period same as that of the first receiver of the fifthmulti-functional input button 1250.

The first receiver of the first multi-functional input button 1210 andthe second receiver of the fifth multi-functional input button 1250 mayhave scan periods different from each other.

The second receiver of the first multi-functional input button 1210 andthe second receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button 1240 maynot be disposed in a row in the virtual Y-axis direction but may bemoved leftward within the width of the first multi-functional inputbutton 1210, and the second receiver of the first multi-functional inputbutton 1210 and the second receiver of the fourth multi-functional inputbutton 1240 may have the same scan period. Consequently, pointinglocation information signal distortions may occur, which requires a stepof correcting by software.

The human interface device may further include a sixth multi-functionalinput button 1260 having a central point disposed on a virtual Y-axisextending downward from the central point of the fifth multi-functionalinput button 1250.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement ofelectrodes of multi-functional input buttons having different patterns.

The first multi-functional input button 1210 and the fourthmulti-functional input button 1240 may not be disposed in a row on avirtual Y-axis but may be moved leftward as much as a first distance.

Thus, signal distortions may occur in the receivers of the firstmulti-functional input button 1210 and the fourth multi-functional inputbutton 1240.

To prevent or minimize signal distortions, the fourth multi-functionalinput button 1240 may have a modified pattern.

For example, an electrode 1130 shown in FIG. 11 may have a pattern movedfrom a left side toward a right side of the electrode 1130 as much asthe first distance so as to form a second electrode shape 1350.

The second electrode shape may provide an effect of aligning, on thevirtual Y-axis, receivers of the first multi-functional input button andfourth multi-functional input button.

A seventh multi-functional input button 1360 having the second electrodeshape may be disposed at a right side of the fourth multi-functionalinput button.

In this case, a receiver 1351 disposed at a rightmost side of the fourthmulti-functional input button may have a scan period same as that of areceiver 1361 disposed at a leftmost side of the seventhmulti-functional input button 1360. In this case, the second receivers1112 and 1113 of the first multi-functional input button may also havethe same scan period.

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary embodiments of an electrical connectionmember of a multi-functional input button.

The transmitters of the first to third multi-functional input buttonsmay be interconnected by a first electrical connection member, and thereceivers of the first, fourth, and fifth multi-functional input buttonsmay be interconnected by a second electrical connection member.

The connection member of a first exemplary embodiment may include afirst conductor contacting or joining the electrode unit and movingtogether with the electrode unit while a multi-functional input buttonis moving from a first height to a second height by pressure applied tothe multi-functional input button; a second conductor provided in anon-moving part of the multi-functional input button so as to receive anelectrical signal from the first conductor; and a base PCB connected tothe second conductor of an adjacent multi-functional input button.

The base PCB may transmit/receive driver signals or scan signals from acontrol unit to/from transmitters or receivers of a plurality ofmulti-functional input buttons.

The first conductor and the second conductor may move while maintainingcontact and connection therebetween in a mutual sliding manner.

The first conductor and the second conductor may be kept contacting eachother when no pressure is applied to the multi-functional input buttonor pressure equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold level isapplied to the multi-functional input button, and the first conductorand the second conductor may be kept contacting each other andshort-circuited from each other when pressure equal to or higher thanthe predetermined threshold level is applied to the multi-functionalinput button.

The first conductor and the second conductor may be arranged in anon-contact manner (1450). The first conductor and the second conductormay be formed into a conductive plate shape having a predetermined area,and contact each other with predetermine spacing therebetween.

The predetermined spacing may be filled with a non-conductor 1443 havingdielectricity such as air, plastic, silicon, glass, ceramic and thelike.

In this case, the electrical signal may be transmitted in the form of aradio signal having a frequency.

Thus, an abrasion of the conductors caused by friction between the firstconductor and the second conductor, or signal noise may be reduced, andfriction which may interfere with pressure being applied to themulti-functional input button may be minimized, and manufacturingprocesses may be simplified.

At least either the first electrical connection member or secondelectrical connection member may be printed together with the electrodeunit on a flexible film as a conductor, or may be an electricalconnection member provided to the elastic unit contacting or joining theelectrode unit.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a switch of amulti-functional input button for inputting characters.

When the multi-functional input button moves from a first location to asecond location by pressure applied thereto, switches 1511, 1512 and1513 may operate so as to generate an electrical signal indicating aninput of a predetermined character.

When the switches 1512 and 1523 provided on the base PCB or a separatemembrane are connected by the terminal 1511 provided on a moving unit ofthe multi-functional input button, an electrical signal indicating aninput of a predetermined character may be generated and transmitted tothe control unit.

The switches may generate electrical signals by sensing a separate pressswitch, an amount of change in magnetism or electrical field, lightintensity, sound, and the like.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a human interface devicehaving a multi-functional input button.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrode key cap.

A plurality of electrode key caps 1700 may be disposed on a common planeso as to form an electrode key cap layer 1620.

For example, one electrode key cap may receive one character input andsense a predetermined amount of changes in a touch location according toa mode.

The electrode key cap layer may receive a plurality of character inputs,and sense an amount of changes in a touch location in proportion to thenumber of electrode key caps.

The multi-functional human interface device may include: a control unit;the cover unit 1010 on which user's finger touch is performed; theelectrode key cap 1700 including first conductors 1741, 1742, 1713,1714, 1746 and 1748 and electrode units 1020 and 1701; and a secondconductor.

The second conductor may be provided in a first circuit layer 1630.

A user's finger touch on the cover unit tightly contacting a top of theelectrode key cap may give an influence to an electrical field betweenthe transmitter and receiver in the electrode, causing changes incapacity.

The first conductor may be plural in number, and provided respectivelyin the transmitter and receiver of the electrode unit.

When a driver signal is applied on a predetermined period through thefirst conductor connected to the transmitter, capacity may be generatedbetween the transmitter and the receiver, and the generated capacity maybe transmitted by the receiver through the first conductor connected tothe receiver and through the second conductor electrically connected tothe first conductor, and the control unit may sense changes in thetransmitted capacity.

The electrode unit may be electrically connected to the second conductorthrough the first conductor, and the electrode unit may be disposed on afirst surface 1702 of the electrode key cap, and the first conductor maybe formed into a predetermined area on a column formed perpendicularlyto the first surface.

The column formed perpendicularly to the first surface may be at leasttwo in number, and the first conductor may be formed respectively on theat least two columns.

The electrode units 1020 and 1701 may include a transmitter and areceiver, and the first conductor formed respectively on the at leasttwo columns may be electrically connected to the respective transmitterand receiver.

The first conductor may be formed to encircle the surface of the column.

The column may be formed into a tubular shape having a hole 1703penetrating through the column, and the hole 1703 may penetrate throughthe first surface 1702 such that the electrode unit and the firstconductor may be electrically connected through an inner wall of thehole 1703.

The electrode unit may have a plurality of pattern blocks 1701 having aspecific shape on the first surface, and at least a part of the patternblocks 1701 may be electrically interconnected through a second surface1731 of the electrode key cap.

The plurality of pattern blocks 1704 electrically connected through thesecond surface may be electrically connected to the second conductorthrough the first conductor 1713 formed on one of the columns.

For example, the three top triangular pattern blocks on the firstsurface 1702 may be electrically connected by the conductor provided onthe side surface 1731 adjacent to the three top triangular patternblocks.

The three bottom triangular pattern blocks, in the same manner, may beelectrically connected by the conductor provided on the side surfaceadjacent to the three bottom triangular pattern blocks.

In this case, the three top or bottom triangular pattern blocks may beelectrically connected to one column provided at rear surfaces of thepattern blocks through a hole formed in the column.

Furthermore, triangular and diamond-shaped pattern blocks formedhorizontally in an intermediate part may be electrically connected atthe first surface, and electrically connected to one column provided atrear surfaces of the pattern blocks and the first conductor through ahole formed in the column in the same manner, and the column used hereinmay be located at a center of the rear surfaces and may also be used forthe purpose of transferring pressure to the elastic unit.

In this case, the top, bottom, and the intermediate pattern blocks maytransmit transmitter signals having different signal periods.

Furthermore, the two upper diamond-shaped pattern blocks disposedhorizontally and the two lower diamond-shaped pattern blocks disposedhorizontally may be electrically isolated on the first surface, andrespectively electrically connected to the first conductor through holesformed in the respective columns provided at rear surfaces of thepattern blocks.

The first conductor may be provided respectively to the plurality ofcolumns at a rear surface of the electrode key cap.

The plurality of pattern blocks electrically connected through thesecond surface may be transmitters having the same signal period.

The electrode unit may have at least three pattern blocks 1704 having aspecific shape on the first surface, and the three pattern blocks may berespectively electrically connected to the second conductor through thefirst conductor formed on one of columns.

At least two pattern blocks among the plurality of pattern blocks mayhave a first signal period, and at least one pattern block among theplurality of pattern blocks may have a second signal period.

The at least three pattern blocks may be receivers.

The multi-functional human interface device may further include theelastic body 1050, and the column may transfer, to the elastic unit,pressure applied from a user to the cover unit, and enable the coverunit and the electrode key cap to move from a first location to a secondlocation, and receive the pressure from the elastic unit when thepressure from the user is cancelled so as to enable the cover unit andthe electrode key cap to move from the second location to the firstlocation.

The electrode unit and the first conductor may be formed by plating,with a conductive material, an insulator structure including at leastone flat plate, and at least two columns connected perpendicularly tothe flat plate and having holes penetrating through the flat plate andthe columns.

The electrode unit may have a plurality of pattern blocks having aspecific shape on the first surface, and a plurality of columns formedon a third surface 1710 disposed on at the rear of the first surface.

The first conductors may be formed on the plurality of columns, and thefirst conductors formed on the plurality of columns may be electricallyshort-circuited by the third surface.

The electrode unit may have a plurality of pattern blocks having aspecific shape on the first surface, and the plurality of pattern blocksmay be electrically connected to the fourth surface 1732 disposed at oneside of the first surface, but electrically short-circuited from eachother by an electrical short-circuit 1733 formed on the fourth surface1732.

The pattern blocks may not be limited to those illustrated in thedrawings, and may include various patterns such as a rectangular patternand a comb teeth pattern.

The multi-functional human interface device may include a plurality ofelectrode key caps, and the first conductors provided to the pluralityof electrode key caps may transmit electrical signals to the pluralityof second conductors, and the plurality of second conductors may formone first circuit layer 1630.

The multi-functional human interface device may further include a lightsource beneath the electrode key cap, and the column may have a tubularshape having a hole penetrating the column, and the cover unit may bemade of a conductive plate material for diffusing light and receivelight from the light source through the hole so as to emit the light.

The hole may be necessarily used so as to electrically connect theelectrode unit and the first conductor of the electrode key cap in aplating manner.

However, the plating may make the electrode key cap opaque, and thus itmay be difficult to provide a keyboard with a function of emitting lightto allow for ease of work in a dark place. The light may be transmittedthrough the hole, and thus the hole may be used as an electricalconnection path and a light path.

The cover unit may have a user contact surface printed or carved with acharacter for guiding text input, or a film perforated with the shape ofthe character may be attached to the cover unit.

The first conductor and the second conductor may respectivepredetermined areas facing each other in a non-contact manner, and anelectrical signal of a high frequency may be transmitted through thepredetermined area in a non-contact manner.

For example, if the column has a cylindrical shape, the surface of thecolumn facing the first conductor and the second conductor in anon-contact manner may have a band shape with a predetermined width, andif the column is a square column, the surface may have a square bandshape with a predetermined width. Alternatively, only a part of thecolumn may be provided with the first conductor so as to form a facingsurface having a desired shape and area.

FIG. 18 to FIG. 22 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of electrodepatterns of a plurality of multi-functional input buttons.

The multi-functional human interface device may be used in a variety ofelectronic devices such as an input device for a desk top, an inputdevice for a table PC, an input device for a notebook, an input devicefor controlling a home theater, an input device for controllingmultimedia of an automatic driving vehicle, and an input device forvirtual reality or augmented reality.

The electronic device having the multi-functional human interface devicemay include first to fifth multi-functional input buttons.

The first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may respectivelyreceive different character inputs, and receive touch inputs forcontrolling one piece of pointer location information from a user.

The first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may be provided on anX-axis or Y-axis without being aligned in a line.

For example, the first to third multi-functional input buttons may bealigned in a line in an X-axis direction, and the fourth and fifthmulti-function input buttons may be disposed above and below the X-axis.

Furthermore, the fourth multi-functional input button 1240 may not bealigned with the first multi-functional input button with respect to aY-axis, but may be 25 percent spaced apart leftward.

The fifth multi-functional input button 1250 may not be aligned with thefirst multi-functional input button with respect to a Y-axis, but may be50 percent spaced apart rightward.

The transmitters having the same driver signal may be aligned in a lineand the receivers having the same scan signal period may be aligned in aline, among the plurality of transmitters and the plurality ofreceivers, so as to enable the first to fifth multi-functional inputbuttons to control one piece of pointer location information.

Since the first to fifth multi-functional input buttons are not alignedin a line with respect to an X-axis or Y-axis, the multi-functionalinput buttons may have two to four receivers or transmitter parallel toan X-axis or Y-axis such that the receivers or transmitters can bealigned even though the multi-functional input buttons are not alignedin a line with respect to an X-axis or Y-axis.

Each of the multi-functional input buttons may include electrode units1020 a, 1020 b, 1020 c, 1020 d, 1020 e, 1020 f, 1020 g, 1020 h, 1020 i,1020 j, 1020 k and 1020 l formed of transmitter units T1, T2, T3 and T4and receiver units R1, R2, R3 and R4.

The transmitter units of the electrode units may be arranged in parallelto an X-axis, and the receiver units of the electrode units may bearranged in parallel to a Y-axis (1020 a, 1020 c, 1020 e, 1020 g, 1020i, and 1020 k).

In the exemplary embodiments to be described hereinafter, the electrodeunit will be described as having transmitters parallel to an X-axis andreceivers parallel to a Y-axis, but the configuration in which thetransmitters and receivers are switched with each other may also bepossible, that is, the receivers may be arranged in parallel to anX-axis and the transmitters may be arranged in parallel to a Y-axis.

The electrode units may have transmitters parallel to a Y-axis andreceivers transmitters parallel to an X-axis (1020 b, 1020 d, 1020 f,1020 h, 1020 j, and 1020 l).

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of electrode patterns of aplurality of multi-functional input buttons, in which the electrode unitmay include four transmitters and four receivers.

Although, in the exemplary embodiments to be described hereinafter, theelectrode unit will be described as having four transmitters parallel toan X-axis and four receivers 1020 a parallel to a Y-axis, theconfiguration in which four receivers are arranged in parallel to anX-axis and four transmitters 1020 b are arranged in parallel to a Y-axismay also be possible. The transmitter unit may have first to fourthtransmitters having at least two driver signal periods, and the receiverunit may have first to fourth receivers R1, R2, R3, and R4 having atleast two scan signal periods different from each other.

The first receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button 1240 mayhave a scan signal period same as that of the fourth receiver of thesecond multi-functional input button 1220.

The second receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button 1240 mayhave a scan signal period same as that of the first receiver of thefirst multi-functional input button 1210.

The third receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button 1240 mayhave a scan signal period same as that of the second receiver of thefirst multi-functional input button 1210.

The fourth receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button 1240 mayhave a scan signal period same as those of the third receiver of thefirst multi-functional input button 1210 and the first receiver of thefifth multi-functional input button 1250.

The electronic device having the multi-functional human interface devicemay have the sixth multi-functional input button 1260, and the sixthmulti-functional input button 1260 may be aligned adjacent to the fifthmulti-functional input button 1250 on a Y-axis, and the first to fourthreceivers of the sixth multi-functional input button 1260 may have ascan signal period same as those of the first to fourth receivers of thefifth multi-functional input button 1250.

On the contrary, the fifth multi-functional input button 1250 and thesixth multi-functional input button 1260 may have driver signal periodsdifferent from each other.

The electronic device having the multi-functional human interface devicemay have a seventh multi-functional input button 1270.

The first receiver of the seventh multi-functional input button 1270 mayhave a scan signal period same as those of the fourth receiver of thefirst multi-functional input button 1210 and the second receiver of thefifth multi-functional input button 1250.

The second receiver of the seventh multi-functional input button 1270may have a scan signal period same as those of the first receiver of thethird multi-functional input button 1230 and the third receiver of thefifth multi-functional input button 1250.

The first transmitters of the first to third multi-functional inputbuttons may have a first driver period, and the second transmitters ofthe first to third multi-functional input buttons may have a seconddriver period.

The first transmitters of the fourth and seventh multi-functional inputbuttons may have a third driver period, and the second transmitters ofthe fourth and seventh multi-functional input buttons may have a fourthdriver period.

The first transmitter of the fifth multi-functional input button mayhave a fifth driver period, and the second transmitter of the fifthmulti-functional input button may have a six driver period.

The first transmitter of the sixth multi-functional input button mayhave a seventh driver period, and the second transmitter of the sixthmulti-functional input button may have an eighth driver period.

At least two of the first to fifth multi-functional input buttons mayrespectively have the first and second receivers having the same scansignal period, and the third and fourth receivers having the same scansignal period.

At least two of the first to fifth multi-functional input buttons mayrespectively have the second and third receivers having the same scansignal period, and the first and fourth receivers having scan signalperiods different from each other.

For example, the first multi-functional input button may have the firstand second receivers having a first scan signal period, and the thirdand fourth receivers having a second scan signal period.

The third multi-functional input button may have the first and secondreceivers having a third scan signal period, and the third and fourthreceivers having a fourth scan signal period.

The fourth multi-functional input button may have the first receiverhaving a fifth scan signal period, and the second and third receivershaving the first scan signal period, and the fourth receiver having thesecond scan signal period.

The seventh multi-functional input button may have the first receiverhaving the second scan signal period, and the second and third receivershaving the third scan signal period, and the fourth receiver having thefourth scan signal period.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of electrode patterns of aplurality of multi-functional input buttons, in which the electrode unitmay include two transmitters parallel to an X-axis and four receivers1020 c parallel to a Y-axis.

Although, in the exemplary embodiments to be described hereinafter, theelectrode unit will be described as having two transmitters parallel toan X-axis and four receivers 1020 c parallel to a Y-axis, theconfiguration in which two receivers are arranged in parallel to anX-axis and four transmitters 1020 d are arranged in parallel to a Y-axismay also be possible. The electronic device having the multi-functionalhuman interface device may include first to fifth multi-functional inputbuttons, and each of the multi-functional input buttons may have anelectrode unit formed of a transmitter unit and a receiver unit.

The transmitter unit may have first and second transmitters havingdriver signal periods different from each other, and the receiver unitmay have first and second receivers having scan signal periods differentfrom each other.

The second receiver of the first multi-functional input button may havea scan signal period same as that of the first receiver of the fifthmulti-functional input button, and the first receiver of the thirdmulti-functional input button may have a scan signal period same as thatof the second receiver of the fifth multi-functional input button.

The first transmitters of the first to third multi-functional inputbuttons may have a first driver signal period, the second transmittersof the first to third multi-functional input buttons may have a seconddriver signal period, the first transmitter of the fourthmulti-functional input button may have a third driver signal period, thesecond transmitter of the fourth multi-functional input button may havea fourth driver signal period, the first transmitter of the fifthmulti-functional input button may have a fifth driver signal period, andthe second transmitter of the fifth multi-functional input button mayhave a sixth driver signal period.

The central points of the first to third multi-functional input buttonsmay be disposed on a virtual X-axis, the first and second transmittersof the first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may besubstantially parallel to the virtual X-axis, and the first receiver andthe second receiver of the first to fifth multi-functional input buttonsmay be substantially perpendicular to the virtual X-axis.

The second receiver of the first multi-functional input button, thefirst receiver of the fifth multi-functional input button, and thesecond receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button may have thesame scan signal period.

Alternatively, the second receiver of the first multi-functional inputbutton, the first receiver of the fifth multi-functional input button,and the first receiver of the seventh multi-functional input button mayhave the same scan signal period.

The second receiver of the first multi-functional input button and thefirst receiver of the fifth multi-functional input button may be alignedin a line perpendicular to the X-axis, and the second receiver of thefourth multi-functional input button and the first receiver of theseventh multi-functional input button may be spaced apart from eachother by a first distance 2010. This may be required for simplifyingpatterns so as to reduce manufacturing cost of multi-functional inputbuttons. In this case, a software correction in a user touch input maybe required.

The first and fourth multi-functional input buttons may have a controlunit for correcting coordinates of a user touch input in an X-axisdirection in correspondence to the first distance when user touch iscontinuously input perpendicularly to the X-axis from the firstmulti-functional input button to the fourth multi-functional inputbutton.

The first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may include a controlunit for sensing user touch continuously input from a region includingsurfaces of the first to fifth multi-functional input buttons, andcontinuously controlling one pointer location.

The first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may includerespectively a control unit for sensing a user pressure signal andgenerating first to fifth character input signals.

That is, the plurality of multi-functional input buttons may generaterespective characters corresponding to the respective keys of akeyboard, and simultaneously generate pointer location information suchas one mouse pointer by a continuous user touch input generated acrossbuttons in a touch surface region of the adjacent plurality ofmulti-functional input buttons, and control the movement of the pointerlocation.

When a plurality of touches are simultaneously performed in the touchsurface region of the adjacent plurality of multi-functional inputbuttons, a multi-touch function such as zoom in, zoom out, scrolling,and screen switching may be performed.

As for the electrode unit 1020 h in which the receivers are parallel toan X-axis and the transmitters are parallel to a Y-axis, an electronicdevice having the multi-functional human interface device may includefirst to fifth multi-functional input buttons, and the respectivemulti-functional input buttons may include an electrode unit including atransmitter unit and a receiver unit, and the transmitter unit mayinclude first and second transmitters having driver signal periodsdifferent from each other, and the receiver unit may include first andsecond receivers having scan signal periods different from each other.

The second transmitter of the first multi-functional input button mayhave a driver signal period same as that of the first transmitter of thefifth multi-functional input button, and the first transmitter of thethird multi-functional input button may have a driver signal period sameas that of the second transmitter of the fifth multi-functional inputbutton.

The first receivers of the first to third multi-functional input buttonsmay have a first scan signal period, the second receivers of the firstto third multi-functional input buttons may have a second scan signalperiod, the first receiver of the fourth multi-functional input buttonmay have a third scan signal period, the second receiver of the fourthmulti-functional input button may have a fourth scan signal period, thefirst receiver of the fifth multi-functional input button may have afifth scan signal period, and the second receiver of the fifthmulti-functional input button may have a sixth scan signal period.

The central point of the first to third multi-functional input buttonsmay be disposed on a virtual X-axis, the first and second receivers ofthe first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may be substantiallyparallel to the virtual X-axis, and the first and second transmitters ofthe first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may be substantiallyperpendicular to the virtual X-axis.

The second transmitter of the first multi-functional input button andthe first transmitter of the fifth multi-functional input button may bealigned in a line perpendicular to the X-axis, and may be interposedbetween the second transmitter of the fourth multi-functional inputbutton and the first transmitter of the seventh multi-functional inputbutton.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method for switching between atext input mode and a pointer location information input mode.

The electronic device having a multi-functional human interface devicemay have a right-handed mode and a left-handed mode.

The right-handed mode may set a touch region such that a user touch canbe easily input to the touch region from a right hand of a user.

The left-handed mode may set a touch region such that a user touch canbe easily input to the touch region from a left hand of a user.

The right-handed mode and the left-handed mode may be set on theelectronic device having a multi-functional human interface device by aseparate switch, at least two simultaneous text inputs, a predeterminedtouch pattern, a combination of a text input and a touch input, an inputthrough a mode switching unit, and the like.

The electronic device having a multi-functional human interface devicemay include a first pointer execution instruction button and a secondpointer execution instruction button operating by pressure applied froma user, and the first pointer execution instruction button and thesecond pointer execution instruction button may further include a sensorfor sensing a user touch input, and the electronic device having amulti-functional human interface device may be switched to a temporarytouch mode when a touch input is received to the first pointer executioninstruction button and the second pointer execution instruction button.

The temporary touch mode may be cancelled and switched to a text inputmode when the user touch is cancelled from the first pointer executioninstruction button or the second pointer execution instruction button.

The first pointer execution instruction button may be disposed at a leftside of the second pointer execution instruction button and adjacent toa left thumb of the user, and the second pointer execution instructionbutton may be disposed adjacent to a right thumb of the user. When theelectronic device having a multi-function human interface device isswitched to the temporary touch mode through the touch sensor providedin the first pointer execution instruction button, the electronic devicehaving a multi-functional human interface device may be switched to theright-handed mode.

The right-handed mode may set a right hand touch region 108 b forreceiving pointer location information such that a touch input by aright hand can be easily performed.

The right hand touch region 108 b may be set to cover an area excludinga region on which a user's left hand finger is put to input text.

For example, a general keyboard-type multi-functional human interfacemay have layouts in which a left side from a Y-axis including characterF key is set as an inactive touch region and a right side from a Y-axisincluding character G key is set as an active touch region.

When the electronic device having a multi-function human interfacedevice is switched to the temporary touch mode through the touch sensorprovided in the second pointer execution instruction button, theelectronic device having a multi-functional human interface device maybe switched to the left-handed mode.

The left-handed mode may set a left hand touch region 108 a forreceiving pointer location information such that a touch input by a lefthand can be easily performed.

The left hand touch region 108 a may be set to cover an area excluding aregion on which a user's right hand finger is put to input text.

For example, a general keyboard-type multi-functional human interfacemay have layouts in which a right side from a Y-axis including characterJ key is set as an inactive touch region and a left side from a Y-axisincluding character H key is set as an active touch region.

Furthermore, an external device connected to the electronic devicehaving a multi-functional human interface device may have a preset leftor right mode.

The temporary touch mode may be switched to the right hand touch modewhen, in US international keyboard layouts, user touch inputs aregenerated simultaneously from at least two among a plurality ofmulti-functional input buttons for generating input signals ofcharacters Q, W, E, and R, and the right hand touch mode is cancelledand switched to a text input mode when the at least two user touchinputs are cancelled.

The temporary touch mode may be switched to the right hand touch modewhen, in US international keyboard layouts, user touch inputs aregenerated simultaneously from at least two among a plurality ofmulti-functional input buttons for generating input signals ofcharacters Z, X, C, and V, and the right hand touch mode is cancelledand switched to a text input mode when the at least two user touchinputs are cancelled.

The temporary touch mode may be switched to the left hand touch modewhen, in US international keyboard layouts, user touch inputs aregenerated simultaneously from at least two among a plurality ofmulti-functional input buttons for generating input signals ofcharacters U, I, O, and P, and the left hand touch mode is cancelled andswitched to a text input mode when the at least two user touch inputsare cancelled.

The temporary touch mode may be switched to the left hand touch modewhen, in US international keyboard layouts, user touch inputs aregenerated simultaneously from at least two among a plurality ofmulti-functional input buttons for generating input signals ofcharacters M, <, >, and ?, and the left hand touch mode is cancelled andswitched to a text input mode when the at least two user touch inputsare cancelled.

The multi-functional input buttons in which at least two touch inputsmay occur simultaneously, may function as a first pointer executioninstruction input or a second pointer execution instruction input of thepointer being controlled during execution of the temporary touch mode,when a pressure signal is further received during maintenance of thetouch inputs.

The text input mode may be inactivated when the temporary touch mode isactivated. When the text input mode is inactivated, an exception may bemade in which at least one text input is allowed.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a method for switching to apermanent touch mode. When the first pointer execution instructionbutton and the second pointer execution instruction button are pressedsimultaneously for a preset time, the electronic device having amulti-functional human interface device may be set to a permanent touchmode.

The electronic device having a multi-functional human interface devicemay be set to a permanent touch mode by a separate switch, at least twosimultaneous text inputs, a predetermined touch pattern, a combinationof a text input and a touch input, an operation of a mode switchingunit, and the like.

The permanent touch mode may receive a pointer location informationinput from a user without the need to maintain a separate user input forthe pointer location information input. For example, in the temporarytouch mode, the electronic device having a multi-functional humaninterface device may be basically set to a text input mode, and switchedto the temporary touch mode during maintenance of a separate user input,and the temporary touch mode may be cancelled and switched to the textinput mode when the separate user input is cancelled.

In the permanent touch mode, the electronic device having amulti-functional human interface device may be basically set to thepermanent touch mode, and the text input mode may be in activated.

The permanent touch mode may be cancelled under a preset condition.

For example, the permanent touch mode may be cancelled when there is nouser input for a preset time in the set permanent touch mode.

The permanent touch mode may be cancelled when a predefined touchpattern, a predetermined button, a text input button in which theexception of inactivation is made, repeated text, and a plurality ofpieces of text are simultaneously input in the set permanent touch mode.

The permanent touch mode may include at least a part of a touch regionin the right hand touch mode and at least a part of a touch region inthe left hand touch mode, and may have a region wider than the touchregion in the right hand touch mode and the touch region in the lefthand touch mode.

Preferably, the region of the permanent touch mode may be the sum of thetouch region in the right hand touch mode and the touch region in theleft hand touch mode.

FIG. 25 illustrates a multi-functional input button module having aplurality of multi-functional input buttons provided in the shape of aplate.

The module having a plurality of multi-functional input buttons producedin the shape of a plate may be used as a multi-keyboard module used in anotebook, a portable keyboard, a desktop keyboard, or an Internet TVinput device.

The module may include a plurality of cover units 1010, a plurality ofelectrode units 1020, an electrical connection member 2610, a pluralityof base units 1030, a balance maintenance unit 2620 configured to assistthe cover units 1010 in vertically moving in parallel, and a pluralityof elastic units 1050 in sequence.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a detailed structure of the electrodeunit 1020.

Each of the plurality of electrode units 1020 may be produced by atransmitter unit and a receiver unit being printed (1020 b) withconductive inks on a film 1020 a cut to fit the size of the cover units1010 or produced in the form of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The electrical connection member 2610 may be produced in the form of anFPCB and may have contact points with at least one transmitter and atleast one receiver of the electrode unit.

The electrical connection member 2610 and the electrode unit 1020 areattached to each other by using a conductive adhesive 2611 to allowelectricity to flow through the contact points.

The electrical connection member 2610 may be integrated with theelectrode unit 1020 in the form of an FPCB.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example of an adhesion portion of a conductiveadhesive.

The conductive adhesive may be used to attach a portion of theelectrical connection member to a portion of the electrode unit.

In this case, a part 2712 other than the adhesion portion may be formedas a structure 2711 that is connected with an electrical connectionmember of an adjacent multi-functional input button and capable of beingflexibly moved as the cover unit is moved

The electrical connection member capable of being flexibly moved may beformed in the shape of an uppercase letter L and may be formed in theshape of an uppercase letter U along with an adjacent electricalconnection member.

Such a shape shows optimal performance in maintaining a conduction statewhile minimizing physical resistance to a user even when positions ofthe electrical connection member and the adjacent multi-functional inputbutton change vertically as the cover unit vertically moves. Theelectrical connection member may be used to connect the plurality ofelectrode units to each other and may be connected with circuit layersplaced on a first surface and a second surface.

A circuit layer 2613 placed on the first surface may generate a driversignal to be delivered to transmitters of the first to fifthmulti-functional input buttons, and a circuit layer 2612 placed on thesecond surface may receive a scan signal from receivers of the first tofifth multi-functional input buttons.

The circuit layer may be connected with a control unit to generate adriver signal and receive a scan signal.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a multi-functional inputbutton.

FIG. 28 includes a development view 2810 of the multi-functional inputbutton, an assembly view 2820 of the multi-functional input button, asectional view 2830 of the multi-functional input button, and asectional view 2840 of the multi-functional input button when the coverunit is moved.

The multi-functional input button may include a cover unit 2811, anelectrode unit 2818, a first base unit 2812, a balance maintenance unit2813, an elastic unit 1050, a first circuit layer 2816, a second circuitlayer 2815, a third circuit layer 2814, a second base unit 2803, and anelectrical connection member 2819.

The multi-functional input button may further include a light emittingunit 2817, and the light emitting unit 2817 may be placed on theelectrode unit or the circuit layer.

The electrode unit, the electrical connection member, and the circuitlayer may be produced in the form of a single FPCB.

The first circuit layer 2816 may receive both of a pointer locationinformation input signal and a text input signal.

The elastic unit may be adhered to the circuit layer. Thus, it ispossible to remove an unnecessary layer and reduce a thickness thereof.

The cover unit and the base unit may have bonding members 2820 and 2821so that the cover unit and the base unit are bonded to each other.

Alternatively, the cover unit and the base unit may have a column and ahole 2801, respectively, so that the cover unit and the base unit arebonded to each other.

The electrode unit may be inserted between the cover unit and the baseunit and may be connected with the circuit layer through the electricalconnection member.

The circuit layer may be adhered to the second base unit.

The circuit layer may be connected with an electrical connection memberof a single multi-functional input button and may be connected to thecontrol unit through a separate circuit layer.

The circuit layer may be connected with electrical connection members ofthe plurality of multi-functional input buttons and thus may beconnected to the control unit.

The width 2832 of the electrode unit may be greater than the width 2831of the circuit layer. Thus, it is possible to minimize movement of theelectrical connection member and minimize physical resistance to theuser when the cover unit is moved.

The electrical connection member 2819 may be formed of flexible materialto change in shape when the cover unit moves.

The electrical connection member 2819 may change in shape while movingto a position 2843 lower than that of the second base unit when thecover unit moves.

FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a wireless electricalconnection member.

FIG. 29 shows a portion 2930 of the multi-functional input button otherthan the elastic unit and the balance maintenance unit of themulti-functional input button.

The multi-functional input button may include a cover unit 2902, anelectrode unit 2901, first electrical connection members 2903 and 2904,second electrical connection members 2933 and 2934, a base unit 2932,and a circuit layer 2931.

The first electrical connection members 2903 and 2904 may include anelectrical connection member 2903 connected with a transmitter and anelectrical connection member 2904 connected with a receiver.

The second electrical connection members 2933 and 2934 may include anelectrical connection member 2933 corresponding to the electricalconnection member 2903 connected with the transmitter and an electricalconnection member 2934 corresponding to the electrical connection member2904 connected with the receiver.

The first electrical connection members and the second electricalconnection members may deliver electrical signals to each other in awired manner while the first electrical connection members and thesecond electrical connection members are not physically attached to eachother.

The first electrical connection members and the second electricalconnection members may deliver electrical signals to each other in awired manner by using high frequency signals.

The first electrical connection members and the second electricalconnection members may deliver electrical signals to each other in awired manner by using an electrostatic induction method.

The first electrical connection members and the second electricalconnection members may be formed by at least one of a method 2940 for acoil having several turns, a spiral method 2950, and a method 2860 ofwinding around an insulator.

An electronic device having a multi-functional human interface mayinclude first to fifth multi-functional input buttons and a circuitlayer configured to deliver a signal received from the input buttons toa control unit. Each of the multi-functional input buttons may includean electrode unit composed of a transmitter unit and a receiver unit andconfigured to receive a touch input from the user, an electricalconnection member connected with the electrode unit, and a switchconfigured to generate a text input signal in response to physicalpressure from the user. The transmitter unit may have first and secondtransmitters having different driver signal occurrence timings. Thereceiver unit may have at least two first and second receivers havingdifferent scan timings. The electrical connection member may beelectrically connected with the electrode unit and the circuit layereven when relative positions of the electrode unit and the circuit layerare changed due to the physical pressure from the user.

The first receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button may havethe same scan timing as the second receiver of the secondmulti-functional input button, and the second receiver of the fourthmulti-functional input button may have the same scan timing as the firstreceiver of the first multi-functional input button.

The first transmitters of the first to third multi-functional inputbuttons may have a first driver signal occurrence timing. The secondtransmitters of the first to third multi-functional input buttons mayhave a second driver signal occurrence timing. The first driver signaloccurrence timing may be different from the second driver signaloccurrence timing.

The second transmitter of the fourth multi-functional input button mayhave a third driver signal occurrence timing. The first transmitter ofthe fifth multi-functional input button may have a fourth driver signaloccurrence timing. The third driver signal occurrence timing, the firstdriver signal occurrence timing, the second driver signal occurrencetiming, and the fourth driver signal occurrence timing may be insequence.

The first receiver of the fifth multi-functional input button may havethe same scan timing as the second receiver of the firstmulti-functional input button, and the second receiver of the fifthmulti-functional input button may have the same scan timing as the firstreceiver of the third multi-functional input button.

A multi-functional human interface having the circuit layer, theelectrode unit of the first multi-functional input button, and theelectrical connection member of the first multi-functional input buttonformed as a single FPCB may be provided.

A multi-functional human interface having the electrode units of thefirst to fifth multi-functional input buttons, the electrical connectionmembers of the first to fifth multi-functional input buttons, and thecircuit layer formed as a single FPCB may be provided.

The electrical connection member may have a first lead connected withthe electrode unit and a second lead connected with the circuit layer,and the first lead and the second lead may change in relative positionbut maintain electrical connection therebetween when a pressure signalis applied by the user.

The electrical connection member may have a first lead connected withthe electrode unit and a second lead connected with the circuit layer,and the first lead and the second lead may change in relative positionwhen a pressure signal is applied by the user and may be separated acertain distance or more from each other to transmit electrical signalsby using an electromagnetic induction phenomenon.

The electrical connection member may have a first lead connected withthe electrode unit and a second lead connected with the circuit layer,and the first lead and the second lead may change in relative positionwhen a pressure signal is applied by the user and may be separated acertain distance or more from each other to transmit electrical signalsby using high frequency signals.

The electrical connection member may be formed of an elastic material toelectrically connect the electrode unit with the circuit layer. When theelectrode unit is moved by a pressure signal from the user, a force mayoccur in a direction opposite to the pressure signal from the user. Whenthe pressure signal from the user is removed, the electrode unit may bereturned to a position before the movement.

The first receiver of the fourth multi-functional input button may havethe same scan timing as the first receiver of the first multi-functionalinput button, and the second receiver of the fourth multi-functionalinput button may have the same scan timing as the second receiver of thefirst multi-functional input button and the first receiver of the fifthmulti-functional input button. The first transmitter of the fourthmulti-functional input button may have the same driver signal occurrencetiming as the first transmitter of the first multi-functional inputbutton, and the second transmitter of the fourth multi-functional inputbutton may have the same driver signal occurrence timing as the secondtransmitter of the first multi-functional input button and the firsttransmitter of the fifth multi-functional input button.

The first receivers of the first to third multi-functional input buttonsmay have a first scan timing. The second receivers of the first to thirdmulti-functional input buttons may have a second scan timing. The firstscan timing may be different from the second scan timing. The secondreceiver of the fourth multi-functional input button may have a thirdscan timing. The first receiver of the fifth multi-functional inputbutton may have a fourth scan timing. The third scan timing, the firstscan timing, the second scan timing, and the fourth scan timing may bein sequence.

The first transmitter of the fourth multi-functional input button mayhave the same driver signal occurrence timing as the second transmitterof the second multi-functional input button, and the second transmitterof the fourth multi-functional input button may have the same driversignal occurrence timing as the first transmitter of the firstmulti-functional input button. The first transmitter of the thirdmulti-functional input button may have the same driver signal occurrencetiming as the second transmitter of the fifth multi-functional inputbutton.

The multi-functional input button may further include a first controlunit, and the first control unit may process a touch signal and a textinput signal that are received from the multi-functional input buttonand may transmit the processed touch signal and text input signal to asecond control unit.

The circuit layer may include a driver signal generation unit configuredto deliver a driver signal to the transmitters of the first to fifthmulti-functional input buttons and a scan signal reception unitconfigured to receive a scan signal from the receivers of the first tofifth multi-functional input buttons.

The first to fifth multi-functional input buttons may include aplurality of electrical connection members. The first multi-functionalinput button may be connected with the electrical connection members ofthe second to fifth multi-functional input buttons. The secondmulti-functional input button may be connected with the electricalconnection members of the first and fourth multi-functional inputbuttons. The third multi-functional input button may be connected withthe electrical connection member of the first multi-functional inputbutton. The fourth multi-functional input button may be connected withthe electrical connection members of the first and secondmulti-functional input buttons. The fifth multi-functional input buttonmay be connected with the electrical connection members of the first andthird multi-functional input buttons.

FIGS. 1 to 29 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a text input deviceintegrated with a pointing device as the electronic device having amulti-functional human interface device, and the types of the text inputdevice and the pointing location information input device and techniquesused herein may be changed or replaced by a person skilled in the artwithout departing from basic purposes.

Mode of Invention

As described above, associated details are provided in the detaileddescription of the embodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention may be entirely or partiallyapplied to an electronic device that uses a multi-functional humaninterface device including a text input device and a pointer locationinformation input device.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device having amulti-functional human interface, comprising: a text region that forms apredetermined keyboard layout and receives text input from a user; atouch region that forms at least a part of the predetermined keyboardlayout and receives touch input from the user; multi-functional buttonsdisposed in an overlap region between the text region and the touchregion; and a controller that processes signals received from themulti-functional buttons, wherein the multi-functional buttons includes:a cover that is touched or applied with a physical pressure by the userand moved up and down by the physical pressure; a switch that generatesa text input signal when the cover is moved down; multiple electrodeslocated under the cover to form a transmitter and a receiver forgenerating pointer location-relevant information in response to thetouch; and an electrical connection member that electrically connectsthe transmitter and the receiver with the controller, and the multipleelectrodes include a first electrode that forms multiple first electrodelines which are electrically connected along any one of a longitudinaldirection or a widthwise direction of the keyboard layout and thus havedifferent drive timings and functions as the transmitter and a secondelectrode that forms multiple second electrode lines which areelectrically connected along the other one of the longitudinal directionand the widthwise direction of the keyboard layout and thus havedifferent scan timings and functions as the receiver, and wherein themulti-functional button selectively receives the text input only whenthe multi-functional button is pressed since the switch generates thetext input signal only when the cover is at a down position, and themulti-functional button receives the touch input at least when themulti-functional button is not moved down since the electricalconnection member electrically connects the transmitter and the receiverwith the controller at least when the cover is at an up position.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection memberincludes a first electric conductor fixed and connected to thecontroller and a second electric conductor connected to the transmitteror the receiver, and since the first electric conductor and the secondelectric conductor are electrically connected with each other when thecover is at the up position and the down position, the multi-functionalbutton receives the touch input both when the multi-functional button ismoved down and when it is not moved down.
 3. The electronic device ofclaim 2, wherein the first electric conductor and the second electricconductor maintain the electrical connection with each other while thecover is moved up and down.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, whereinthe first electric conductor and the second electric conductor maintaina physical contact with each other while the cover is moved up and down.5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the first electricconductor and the second electric conductor maintain a sliding contactwith each other while the cover is moved up and down.
 6. The electronicdevice of claim 2, wherein in the electrical connection member, thefirst electric conductor and the second electric conductor areelectrically connected with each other by using an electromagneticinduction phenomenon.
 7. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein inthe electrical connection member, the first electric conductor and thesecond electric conductor are electrically connected with each other byusing high-frequency signals.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the electrical connection member is formed as a flexible printedcircuit board (FPCB).
 9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein atleast some of the multiple multi-functional buttons share the electricalconnection member through the flexible printed circuit board.